trivia addict

eroller, your review of the NA pretty much sums up our experience on her on our cruise to Alaska in August. I agree with all of your positives, and while many of your negatives did not bother me, I totally agree with the lack of daytime activities and nighttime entertainment on the ship. And as someone mentioned, BB Kings is much too small considering it is one of the only evening entertainments. Although this is not a complete deal breaker for us, we would much prefer to sail Celebrity when it comes to shipboard entertainment.

I don’t want to seem condescending, but why not call RCC or one of the cruise companies to find this answer? I already have a cruise scheduled for 2024. ( but not to Alaska) Many cruises for 2024 are booking now. Unless….what you are asking is, when would be the best offers for 2024? Then you just have to watch and wait and be flexible. A word of advice. If you are going to Alaska, book the cruise tour that includes Denali, not just the 7 day cruise itself. I have done it both ways and the cruise tour was much more enjoyable and informative.

Taking this is a slightly different direction. I have been to Labadee twice and would not go back. I didn’t like the beach, didn’t like the aggressive vendors and don’t zip line. I would stay on the ship next time next to the pool. As far as safety, no place in todays world can guarantee it, and I actually felt safer at Labadee than in some other ports I have visited.

I have no time to read 14 pages of opinion so if I repeat posts, sorry. 20 plus years ago, we cruised Europe a few times. My husband and son wore tuxes, my daughter and I long gowns. All of us loved the experience, feeling special and extravagant. Today on our cruises my husband wears a sport coat and I wear a cocktail dress. We still love “ dressing up”, and will do whatever we please. It makes our vacation special. I don’t care what others wear, but I do mourn the civility that we have lost.

I usually cruise on another line but the Pearl is a great ship that I like very much. She actually has the best spa facilities that I have yet to encounter. The sauna is beautiful. I also do my own excursions rather than the ones offered on the ship. In Halifax I recommend the Hop on Hop off bus. Also a walk along the boardwalk is nice. if you haven’t been to Boston, the Freedom Trail walk is a great way to experience history. Make sure that you have lobster in Bar Harbor. There is a restaurant next to the port that is good, but there are also others you can research. Also in Bar Harbor take the Acadia National Park tour given by the park. The headquarters are close to the port, and although it only uses a school bus, it will show you what you need to see and the cost is less than the ship.

I put a wreath on my front door at Christmas time. Is that egocentric and offensive to my neighbors?

Wow, tunafish, a pretty harsh put down to the OP, who was only asking for advice not a critique on something he likes to do. I hardly think a few door decorations ruins the ideas of those tasteful interior decorators.

You should be fine. In August, my cruise left on a late Sunday afternoon and we took our tests on Friday morning. My understanding is that the 48 hours is loosely counted as long as it is 2 days before the sailing. The same as the Celebrity cruise I took in June.

We had an Orange Party on the Neiuw Amsterdam on our cruise to Alaska in August. Music and dancing in one of the bar areas with lots of officers present and then many passed trays of Dutch snacks passed in BB Kings.

We just returned from Anchorage and our second time eating at Humpys. While we enjoy it, 49th Street gets good reviews and is closer to your hotel. Regardless, I highly recommend taking transportation and not walking that late. I think you will like breakfast on the train the next morning, we had a very nice lunch while riding it 2 weeks ago.

We were on that same cruise and also enjoyed everything about it. The land portion was particularly well done. The excursions were top notch. My husband, vaxxed and boosted, tested positive on return also. His symptoms were mild and disappeared in a few days. On the contrary I remain negative. We did not attend the Music of Denali and as Crystalspin said, we are all going to get it at sometime. It is everywhere, and strikes randomly. Glad that your husband had a mild case and is doing well.

Just got off Neiu Amsterdam. There was a package of 4 masks in our room, and I would say about 80 per cent of the guests wore them the entire time except while dining or at the pool.

Does anyone know if an antigen test is accepted by Canada for a Certificate of Recovery? Or does the COR have to be from a PCR test?

I think it depends on what you order. The one I used yesterday had only one test in the box. After reading your post, I checked the stack of them that I have, and see that one of the others has 2 separate tests in the box. Both are by Abbot and both are labeled “Binax Now”. The one with 2 tests is clearly marked in the upper right hand corner that proclaims “2 tests” Sorry for the confusion. I guess one has to carefully read the description when ordering. I have ordered several a few months ago, and don’t remember when I ordered what! Again, sorry for the misinformation.

We have used the Optum proctored test kit for two previous cruises with no problems. A 3 pack means only three tests not two in each box. So for two people you need at least2 boxes. My problem is a bit different. I am currently tested positive for Covid. My doctor tells me that by my scheduled cruise in August I will be negative. I’m not so sure that the antibodies will be gone by then. How does a certificate of recovery work and does this count for HAL and Canada?

Floral in BERMUDA on a dressy night? Of course!

You are correct. I misspoke. I was rushing and erred!

Back when the kids were young and we used to take New Years cruises, we decorated our door with holiday themes. I don’t do it anymore, but on cruises, I love seeing the doors that others decorate. Some are creative and make me laugh, others have messages of celebration that make me happy to know that good things are happening in the world. And yes, they are excellent markers to find my own cabin!

As a Buffalo, NY native, I can explain what a true “Beef on Weck” sandwich is. It is a delicious sandwich served as bar food in nearly every tavern in the city. It consists of thinly sliced, tender roast beef, covered with au jus, and served on a kummelwick bun, with lots of horseradish. A kummelwick bun is a hard roll with rye seeds and salt crystals on top. Don’t know what the sandwich tastes like on RCC, but an authentic one is one you will truly enjoy.

I know that the closer beaches are only $7 for direct van, but I am not so sure about Clearwater since it is so far. Most likely could do it for less than I paid by hiring someone at the dock, but I think it would be considerably more than $7. Could be wrong so would like to hear directly from someone who actually did this recently.

We were on the Celebrity Summit and the excursion was $145 pp. it is much less to do the beach by yourself, but it entails a ferry, a bus and a walk. Due to health reasons, I decided to take the easy way this time. Our small van took us from the pier at 9:30 and we had to be back into the van at the beach by 1:45. It was approximately a one hour ride each way. The van held about 16-20 people, it was clean and comfortable, and the driver gave a very good overview of the Island as we drove.

Mexican Train. Have taken it cruising often.

Sorry, I can’t help you. Although we usually go by ourselves on public transportation, this time we took the ship excursion to the beach, and the chairs and umbrella were included in the excursion price.

We frequently fly in and out of SeaTac. I would not cut the flight time that short. There is not always a long line but there are several factors that you should take into account. The airport is large and depending on which gate is used, there could be a long walk. On days that ships come in, there are longer lines than usual, and of course traffic getting to the airport on Interstate 5 can be heavy. It is a very nice and clean airport, with many restaurants and shops. Waiting there is better than the stress of rushing to make a flight. If they have lounge access, both the Delta lounge and Amex lounge are well worth it.

We were at Clearwater Beach a few weeks ago. Yes, there is a new concession there and it is quite nice. A large outdoor bar, and grilled food from a food truck next to it. Rentals for chairs and umbrellas and clean restrooms. The new owner is anxious to please. Food and beverage prices are not cheap but are what I expect in Bermuda.